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Thursday, October 6, 2016

Leaked memo shows Clinton was provided questions ahead of interview

Hillary Clinton was provided the exact questions she would be asked by daytime talk show host Steve Harvey, according to a report.

The Washington Free Beacon reports that according to a leaked memo it obtained, the program sent the Clinton campaign all questions one week before the interview between Clinton and Harvey on Feb. 17.

"Steve is known to be a host who goes out of his way to make his guests feel comfortable," two of Clinton's aides wrote Clinton one week before the taping. "We coordinated closely with the show's producers on the script and format of the show."

The memo was sent by campaign spokeswoman Karen Finney - formerly an MSNBC host - and communications staffer Betsaida Alcantara.

The memo was attached to an email posted on the website DCLeaks.com.

Questions included were about Clinton's granddaughter, the former secretary of State's pizza preferences - thin crust versus deep dish - and her support for gun control policies.

"Please note that the tone of the show is generally light so even on policy questions, Steve won't go too deep into details," the memo read.

The campaign and the Harvey's producers also coordinated on which parts of Clinton's biography would be introduced and how.

"During this segment Steve will take a trip down memory lane with YOU to talk about the different moments of YOUR life displayed in the photographs below," the memo stated.

During the interview, Clinton acted surprised when the photos were placed on screen.

"Oh boy. Oh my goodness," she said when a photo of her at 12 years old was placed on the screen.

One week later, Harvey endorsed Clinton for president.

The Hill has reached out to the Clinton campaign and The Steve Harvey Show for comment.